xxiv, 96 pages : 20 cm

The son of Sogolon, the hunchback princess, and Maghan, known as "the handsome", Sundiata grew up to fulfill the prophesies of the soothsayers that he would unite the twelve kingdoms of Mali into one of the most powerful empires ever known in Africa, which at its peak stretched right across the savanna belt from the shores of the Atlantic to the dusty walls of Timbuktu. Retold by generations of griots, the guardians of African culture, this oral tradition has been handed down from the thirteenth century and captures all the mystery and majesty of medieval African kingship. It is an epic tale, part history and part legend. -- From back cover

Includes bibliographical references

The words of the griot Mamadou Kouyaté -- The first kings of Mali -- The buffalo woman -- The lion child -- Childhood -- The lion's awakening -- Exile -- Soumaoro Kanté : the sorcerer king -- History -- The baobab leaves -- The return -- The names of the heroes -- Nana Triban and Balla Fasséké -- Krina -- The empire -- Kouroukan Fougan or the division of the world -- Niani -- Eternal Mali

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